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Post by bt95 on May 14, 2018 17:52:37 GMT -5
I don't mind the album but I cant help but think its all a bit of a stunt, it's like they've gone out of their way to pick songs devoid of memorable hooks or melodies. It feels a bit like when Dylan released Self Portrait just to piss everyone off and sabotage his own legacy. I'm half expecting a very quick follow up (maybe next year) which turns out to be the true follow up to AM just so Alex Turner can turn around and say he was on a massive wind up. Turner has already said if they were gonna do another album like AM then it would have to have been released right on the back of it. He's going his own way and it'll either result in him going solo for a while or they'll head in a different direction again from here - which I think they've established they can do. Listening to AM again tonight though. It's a fucking incredible album. Nothing they were gonna do would have lived up to it so I'm glad they've gone somewhere else, even if too many of the songs sound similar. Four Out Of Five is a fantastic tune though. |
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Post by bt95 on May 14, 2018 18:04:32 GMT -5
One of the guys on the NME (I know, I know) album review actually made a half-decent point for once, and it got me thinking.
He pointed out how Alex Turner has basically played a character in each of their album cycles.
Album 1 - the northern quick-witted joker proving his cleverness and wit on the streets of Sheffield (something I can very much relate to in the sense of growing up in a working class northern town 10 minutes away from High Green), but also talking about the mundanity of every-day life
Album 2 - a slightly darker, sharper version of album 1's Turner. Growing up, having the success, and being a bit disgusted by it all but ultimately wanting more.
Album 3 - the stoned out desert rocker with a chip on his shoulder (and long hair).
Album 4 - probably the least prominent - this is actually where I think Turner is merely playing 'the songwriter' following his Submarine album. Melancholy at times, dark as well. The middle-link between Humbug and AM.
Album 5 - The suave rock star. The Teddy Boy in a leather jacket with his mid-Atlantic twang. Sex drugs and rock 'n' roll and becoming the biggest band in the world.
Album 6 - This one, more than any, he's playing a character. He's doing the whole 'washed up rock star' vibe, and playing it brilliantly. If you notice his interviews, he's not doing his AM-style drawl anymore - he's back to pretty much being the Sheffield lad he is. But when he steps into the band he's playing this lounge lizard character who believes the world owes him. He's scared of what is happening but won't do anything about it, because he needs it - the fame and attention, and that in turn disgusts him (The video for 4/5 very much reflects this 'senile old rocker' vibe I think).
Yes, some of TBH&C is repetitive. Some of it steps over the line of nonsense (that lyric about the 'moon sideboob' in the title track), but I think it shouldn't be taken out of context or taken too seriously.
It's an album that comes across as the band - and Turner - taking themselves seriously, but when you dig into it, it's his most witty, depreciating work since the debut, in a lot of ways.
Poking fun at himself and the world around him, but by the end acknowledges he won't do a thing about it and isn't really saying anything either (Ultracheese).
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Post by bt95 on May 14, 2018 18:10:59 GMT -5
One of the guys on the NME (I know, I know) album review actually made a half-decent point for once, and it got me thinking. He pointed out how Alex Turner has basically played a character in each of their album cycles. Album 1 - the northern quick-witted joker proving his cleverness and wit on the streets of Sheffield (something I can very much relate to in the sense of growing up in a working class northern town 10 minutes away from High Green), but also talking about the mundanity of every-day life Album 2 - a slightly darker, sharper version of album 1's Turner. Growing up, having the success, and being a bit disgusted by it all but ultimately wanting more. Album 3 - the stoned out desert rocker with a chip on his shoulder (and long hair). Album 4 - probably the least prominent - this is actually where I think Turner is merely playing 'the songwriter' following his Submarine album. Melancholy at times, dark as well. The middle-link between Humbug and AM. Album 5 - The suave rock star. The Teddy Boy in a leather jacket with his mid-Atlantic twang. Sex drugs and rock 'n' roll and becoming the biggest band in the world. Album 6 - This one, more than any, he's playing a character. He's doing the whole 'washed up rock star' vibe, and playing it brilliantly. If you notice his interviews, he's not doing his AM-style drawl anymore - he's back to pretty much being the Sheffield lad he is. But when he steps into the band he's playing this lounge lizard character who believes the world owes him. He's scared of what is happening but won't do anything about it, because he needs it - the fame and attention, and that in turn disgusts him (The video for 4/5 very much reflects this 'senile old rocker' vibe I think). Yes, some of TBH&C is repetitive. Some of it steps over the line of nonsense (that lyric about the 'moon sideboob' in the title track), but I think it shouldn't be taken out of context or taken too seriously. It's an album that comes across as the band - and Turner - taking themselves seriously, but when you dig into it, it's his most witty, depreciating work since the debut, in a lot of ways. Poking fun at himself and the world around him, but by the end acknowledges he won't do a thing about it and isn't really saying anything either (Ultracheese). I should also caveat this by saying... Cocaine is one hell of a drug. |
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Post by Lennon2217 on May 14, 2018 18:24:00 GMT -5
When can we expect a track-by-track review, Lennon? Or do you only do them for Gallagher releases? I was considering it. I’ve done Arcade Fire and Radiohead before. Even BorePlay. I’m still spinning it. A lot going on within this record. Terrific lyrics the more you visit. |
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Post by bringmethemonkey on May 14, 2018 18:49:01 GMT -5
I’m hearing a lot of Bowie - which is not a bad thing by any means
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Post by theyknowwhatimean on May 14, 2018 19:04:16 GMT -5
I’m hearing a lot of Bowie - which is not a bad thing by any means "I don't want to be nice and you know THAAAAAAAT" That bit in particular, with the exaggerated vibrato at the end, struck me as very Bowie from the first time I heard it. That seems to be a recent thing with him. On previous Arctic Monkeys albums where Turner would just sing in baritone all the time, rarely altering his vocal melody, I found it a bit dull to listen to. This is much better for me. |
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Post by theyknowwhatimean on May 14, 2018 19:07:09 GMT -5
When can we expect a track-by-track review, Lennon? Or do you only do them for Gallagher releases? I was considering it. I’ve done Arcade Fire and Radiohead before. Even BorePlay. I’m still spinning it. A lot going on within this record. Terrific lyrics the more you visit. Alright, then, what's your favourite lyric so far? Mine's gotta be "Technological advances really bloody get me in the mood!" from the title track.  |
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Post by durk on May 14, 2018 19:14:39 GMT -5
I’m hearing a lot of Bowie - which is not a bad thing by any means Bowie in the voice - Elvis Costello is the melody |
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Post by bringmethemonkey on May 14, 2018 19:21:13 GMT -5
I’m hearing a lot of Bowie - which is not a bad thing by any means Bowie in the voice - Elvis Costello is the melody ha!!! My sister literally just emailed me to say she heard a lot of Elvis too - yes I agree |
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Post by theyknowwhatimean on May 14, 2018 19:40:52 GMT -5
D'you reckon? Love a bit of Elvis, but I'm still just getting into his stuff so don't know what a typical Elvis Costello song (if there is such a thing) sounds like yet.
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Post by Lennon2217 on May 14, 2018 20:15:55 GMT -5
I was considering it. I’ve done Arcade Fire and Radiohead before. Even BorePlay. I’m still spinning it. A lot going on within this record. Terrific lyrics the more you visit. Alright, then, what's your favourite lyric so far? Mine's gotta be "Technological advancements really bloody get me in the mood!" from the title track. The title track is by far my favorite. Also really like Science Fiction, Star Treatment and Four Out of Five. |
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Post by Spaceman on May 14, 2018 20:16:20 GMT -5
Favourite lyric so far probably:
"Life became a spectator sport, I launch my fragrance called 'Integrity', I sell the fact that I can't be bought"
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Post by The Invisible Sun on May 14, 2018 22:00:52 GMT -5
Only listened to Four out of Five so far. I find it to be dreadful. Makes me not want to give the rest a try. Severely disappointed (so far) after such a long wait.
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Post by madferitusa2025 on May 14, 2018 23:38:03 GMT -5
D'you reckon? Love a bit of Elvis, but I'm still just getting into his stuff so don't know what a typical Elvis Costello song (if there is such a thing) sounds like yet. Odd thread to post this. I'm gonna reply here though. Uploaded this specifically in reply to your query. If you've never heard savage young Elvis. Washington D.C. 1978. Have you really heard him? www.zeta-uploader.com/en/34367064 |
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Post by bergkamp2004 on May 15, 2018 0:44:00 GMT -5
Dunno what to think yet. It’s a grower. Some dross on it.
If I was to rank albums to date
Wpsiatwin- 9/10 - modern classic
FVN 1 8/10 - great tunes
AM 7/10- singles plus No.1 party carry it. Last couple of songs are filler.
Humbug - 6/10 - cornerstone and crying lightning aside not much to like.
SIAS- 6.5/10 starts well. First 3 songs are great. Then filler central thrown in till the end.
TBHC- ? Well it’s a 5 for now. But could get to be 4th best album. American sports and title track best for me for now.
Been listening to and from work last 3 days. Need a break from it now. Will re-listen in few days.
Apart from debut no AM album is great. Always let down filler to be found
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Post by WirralRiddler on May 15, 2018 3:46:23 GMT -5
I'd give every album they have done so far a solid 4 out of 5.
And that's unheard of.
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Post by Thomas on May 15, 2018 5:21:16 GMT -5
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino's been on repeat here for a good week now. I think it's a fantastic work of art: the lyrics are fabulous, the idea/concept is nice, the instrumentation is great and Alex's voice is at its peak, probably. Star Treatment, the title track, Science Fiction, Batphone... amazing pieces of music. But for me, at the very moment, that's exactly its biggest "flaw" – and I use the quotation marks because I don't dislike it at all, but I've been seeing a lot of hate: it's much more of an art concept than a proper music album. There's not standalone tracks in the popular, single-fashioned way (okay, maybe Four Out Of Five...). You have to listen to this from start to finish, and more than once, to get it. Pay attention to the lyrics, to the subtle instrumental details, to the narrative. Like spaneli said it's the boys (well, Alex's, let's be honest; that's almost a solo record) Radiohead moment, doing music for themselves. There's so much involved in being a ridiculously big b(r)and, coming right after your biggest success, and releasing this kind of record. I was scared Alex would go downward spiral after the whole AM bomb/persona he seemed to be acquired and developed, that another AM-like album would've came out, but now I see it as the exact opposite. He is in control, he was all along. A little note: for me this album matches amazingly well with Andy Shauf's The Party. It's like its dark, futuristic, disgraced and dystopian lost brother/counterpart. Go check it out if you're into these classy, jazzy arrangements, narratives within albums and all. Except The Party's much more... light. More fun. Catchier too, probably. I however won't say this is the Monkeys best album. This is hard cause they don't really have bad albums... so being bottom of the list doesn't mean much, not for me. But for now I'd rank it like this: 1. Humbug 2. WPSIATWIN 3. FWN 4. TBH&C 5. SIAS 6. AM I'm really excited to see what Alex will bring us in the near future. The guy's a genius. |
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Post by funhouse on May 15, 2018 7:18:33 GMT -5
Listened to it now for the second time, and I'm relieved that it's good, which means I can now forget AM. Thank God. It's a very even album, but like many have already said, it lacks some variety, and maybe a few more songs that could stand on their own. The only track I can think of that breaks the mold/mood is She Looks Like Fun and maybe the closer too. Together with the title track these are probably my top three. There is no song that I hate, but a few towards the end lacked a bit of punch. Not too crazy about the opener either. But if I'll have to name one it's probably gonna have to be the Monster truck one. Once again, thank God I didn't have to cringe this time, apart from a few times when he tried too hard with some lyrics, but it was way less frequent this time. And I really smiled when he acknowledged this habit himself with the lines "So I tried to write a song to make you blush but I've a feeling that the whole thing may well just end up too clever for its own good". To be fair Alex, that was quite clever  Edit: Just to be clear, I'm not saying cringey lyrics is the rule rather than the exception when it comes to his song writing. It's just that I thought it was like that on AM, so maybe that experience has made me more likely to pick up on his (imo)bad lyrical attempts instead of highlighting when he does really well. Which isn't fair, and I will try to get better at it from now on |
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Post by funhouse on May 15, 2018 7:22:31 GMT -5
I don't mind the album but I cant help but think its all a bit of a stunt, it's like they've gone out of their way to pick songs devoid of memorable hooks or melodies. It feels a bit like when Dylan released Self Portrait just to piss everyone off and sabotage his own legacy. I'm half expecting a very quick follow up (maybe next year) which turns out to be the true follow up to AM just so Alex Turner can turn around and say he was on a massive wind up. AM was the windup. |
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Post by theyknowwhatimean on May 15, 2018 7:59:12 GMT -5
Current rankings:
1. Favourite Worst Nightmare
2. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
3. Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino
4. Humbug
5. AM
6. Suck it and See
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Post by petergallagher on May 15, 2018 9:09:59 GMT -5
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Post by bt95 on May 15, 2018 9:17:29 GMT -5
I don't mind the album but I cant help but think its all a bit of a stunt, it's like they've gone out of their way to pick songs devoid of memorable hooks or melodies. It feels a bit like when Dylan released Self Portrait just to piss everyone off and sabotage his own legacy. I'm half expecting a very quick follow up (maybe next year) which turns out to be the true follow up to AM just so Alex Turner can turn around and say he was on a massive wind up. AM was the windup. Can't at all get the hate for that album on here. It's a superb album. Yes, two or three pretty average songs but the rest are all great. Ridiculous 'I don't like it because it's mainstream' sentiment it seems to me - although correct me if I'm wrong? That album launched them to the status of a mammoth band and it was bloody well deserved. |
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Post by funhouse on May 15, 2018 9:31:47 GMT -5
Looks quite cool there, I must say. |
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Post by Spaceman on May 15, 2018 9:35:42 GMT -5
Can't at all get the hate for that album on here. It's a superb album. Yes, two or three pretty average songs but the rest are all great. Ridiculous 'I don't like it because it's mainstream' sentiment it seems to me - although correct me if I'm wrong? That album launched them to the status of a mammoth band and it was bloody well deserved. AM is great tbh |
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Post by funhouse on May 15, 2018 9:38:59 GMT -5
Can't at all get the hate for that album on here. It's a superb album. Yes, two or three pretty average songs but the rest are all great. Ridiculous 'I don't like it because it's mainstream' sentiment it seems to me - although correct me if I'm wrong? That album launched them to the status of a mammoth band and it was bloody well deserved. I don't dislike it because it was accepted by the mainstream, I dislike it because I like one of the album's 12 songs, and strongly dislike more than half of them. Sometimes you just don't like something because you don't like it. The quality of the songs and so on. But if you like it I have no problems with that. |
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